Study of Aripiprazole in the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders

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The purpose of this study is to develop a better tolerated and more effective pharmacologic treatment with individuals with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of aripiprazole in the management of the maladaptive behaviors of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The investigators hypothesize that aripiprazole will be more effective than placebo for reducing aggression, tantrum and self-injurious behavior in children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Phase

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Drug: Aripiprazole oral productDrug: Placebo oral capsule

Phase 3

Detailed Description:

Pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are characterized by severe impairments in social interaction and communication in addition to restricted patterns of interests and activities. Research suggests that a dysregulation of the dopamine and serotonin systems contributes to these interfering behaviors in individuals with PDD. After benefits of typical neuroleptics were reported in subjects with PDD, research shifted to the atypical antipsychotics which have been shown to be better tolerated and effective in this population. However, the atypical antipsychotics have also been associated with adverse effects. Thus there remains a need for a novel pharmacotherapy that would be safe and effective for children and adolescents with PDDs. The primary objectives of this study are to determine whether aripiprazole is effective and well tolerated for irritability in children and adolescents with PDD not otherwise specified (NOS) during an 8-week acute phase and whether the effectiveness and tolerability of aripiprazole is maintained during a 16-week continuation phase.

Number of Participants Improved as Measured by the Clinical Global Impression-Global Improvement Scale (Improvement Defined as CGI-I=1 or CGI-I=2) [ Time Frame: Double-blind phase study exit - up to 8 weeks ]

Clinical Global Impressions (Guy, 1976) global improvement (CGI-I) is designed to take into account all factors to arrive at an assessment of response to treatment. The CGI-I scale ranges from 1 to 7, with lower scores indicating greater improvement (1=very much improved and 2=much improved). Participants with a CGI-I score of 1 or 2 were classified as improved. Four participants assigned to placebo completed an exit interview prior to week 8. One participant assigned to placebo and one participant assigned to aripiprazole withdrew from the study without completing an exit interview.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a symptom checklist for assessing problem behaviors in individuals ages 6 to 54 years-old with mental retardation. The full ABC is a 58-item parent rating with five factors: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity and Inappropriate Speech. It has been used as a primary outcome measure in several trials in children with developmental disabilities. The interpretation of the tool and its subscales is that a greater number of items indicates greater severity. The range of scores for the Irritability subscale is 0 to 45. Means were estimated using a repeated measures linear regression model with treatment group, baseline score, study week (in categories), and Tanner stage as covariates. A linear contrast estimated the average across study timepoints. Confidence intervals reflect a Bonferroni multiple testing correction accounting for the selection of two primary outcomes.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a symptom checklist for assessing problem behaviors in individuals ages 6 to 54 years-old with mental retardation. The full ABC is a 58-item parent rating with five factors: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity and Inappropriate Speech. The 16-item Hyperactivity subscale covers overactivity (7 items), impulsiveness (2 items), inattention (3 items) and noncompliance (4 items). It has been used as a primary outcome measure in several trials in children with developmental disabilities. The interpretation of the tool and its subscales is that a greater number of items indicates greater severity. The range of scores is 0 to 48 on the Hyperactivity subscale. Means were estimated using a repeated measures linear regression model with treatment group, baseline score, study week (in categories), and Tanner stage as covariates. A linear contrast estimated the average across study timepoints.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a symptom checklist for assessing problem behaviors in individuals ages 6 to 54 years-old with mental retardation. The full ABC is a 58-item parent rating with five factors: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity and Inappropriate Speech. It has been used as a primary outcome measure in several trials in children with developmental disabilities. The interpretation of the tool and its subscales is that a greater number of items indicates greater severity. The range of scores for the Inappropriate Speech subscale is 0 to 12. Means were estimated using a repeated measures linear regression model with treatment group, baseline score, study week (in categories), and Tanner stage as covariates. A linear contrast estimated the average across study timepoints.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a symptom checklist for assessing problem behaviors in individuals ages 6 to 54 years-old with mental retardation. The full ABC is a 58-item Parent rating with five factors: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity and Inappropriate Speech. It has been used as a primary outcome measure in several trials in children with developmental disabilities. The interpretation of the tool and its subscales is that a greater number of items indicates greater severity. The range of scores for the Social Withdrawal subscale is 0 to 48. Means were estimated using a repeated measures linear regression model with treatment group, baseline score, study week (in categories), and Tanner stage as covariates. A linear contrast estimated the average across study timepoints.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a symptom checklist for assessing problem behaviors in individuals ages 6 to 54 years-old with mental retardation. The full ABC is a 58-item parent rating with five factors: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity and Inappropriate Speech. It has been used as a primary outcome measure in several trials in children with developmental disabilities. The interpretation of the tool and its subscales is that a greater number of items indicates greater severity. The range of scores for the Stereotypy subscale is 0 to 21. Means were estimated using a repeated measures linear regression model with treatment group, baseline score, study week (in categories), and Tanner stage as covariates. A linear contrast estimated the average across study timepoints.

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Layout table for eligibility information

Ages Eligible for Study:

5 Years to 17 Years (Child)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and female outpatients between the ages of 5 and 17 years and greater than or equal to 15 kg body weight.

Psychotropic medication-free for at least 2 days prior to screening laboratory tests and electrocardiogram (ECG).

Significant irritability as determined by a Clinical Global Impression Severity score of greater or equal to 4 (Moderately ill) and a score of equal to or greater than 18 on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability Subscale.

Intelligence quotient (IQ) of equal to or greater than 50 based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), 4th edition; the Leiter International Test of Intelligence-Revised will be used if a child is nonverbal but thought to have an IQ greater than or equal to 50.

A significant medical condition such as heart, liver, renal, or pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder, as determined by history, physical examination, or laboratory testing.

Subjects with an active seizure disorder (history of febrile seizures in early childhood will be considered.

Females with a positive urine pregnancy test.

Evidence of a prior adequate trial of aripiprazole (defined as equal to or greater than 2 weeks at equal to or greater than 5 mg per day. When there is not evidence of a prior adequate trial, subjects must be medication-free for a least 2 weeks prior to baseline.

History of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Subjects who, in the opinion of the investigator, are unsuitable in any other way to participate in this study, including being unable to comply with the requirements of the study for any reason.